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Presbyterian worship documents worship
practices in Presbyterian churches; in this case, the
practises of the many churches descended from the Scottish
Presbyterian church at the time of the Reformation.

Contents

Theology of
Worship

Historically, the driving principle in the development of the
standards of Presbyterian worship is the Regulative principle of
worship, which specifies that (in worship), what is not
commanded is forbidden.[1]

In addition to those detailed in the History section
below, Presbyterians also historically have held the following
Worship positions:

Baptism, in which they
hold to the paedo-baptist (ie. Infant baptism as well as baptising
unbaptised adults) and the Aspersion (sprinkling) or Affusion (pouring) positions, rather than the
Immersion position
(although Immersion is valid)

The Regulative principle of
worship (see Theology of Worship, above) saw many of
the previous practices (inherited from the Roman Catholic church) cast aside. Two
major points which might be unusual by today's standards were:

Exclusive psalmody: the doctrine
that, in worship, only the Psalms (from the Bible) were to be sung;
singing other words was only to be done outside the worship
service[3]

A cappella
singing: the doctrine that no instruments were to be used in
worship other than the human voice

Both of these were introduced, at least partly, to prevent the
singing of hymns to Mary and the Saints.

That the whole congregation may join herein, every one that can
read is to have a psalm book; and all others, not disabled by age
or otherwise, are to be exhorted to learn to read. But for the
present, where many in the congregation cannot read, it is
convenient that the minister, or some other fit person appointed by
him and the other ruling officers, do read the psalm, line by line,
before the singing thereof.

It appears from the wording that this was a practical measure in
1650, not a doctrinal position. Lining out was used by other
denominations as well for the practical reasons that many people
were not sufficiently literate or because of a lack of hymnals.

From around 1720 onwards, many advocated the introduction of
continuous (or regular) singing [5].
Continuous singing was introduced into many Presbyterian churches
worldwide, even those that consider themselves to be following the
traditional Presbyterian line on worship; there are some, who still
practise lining out, such as the Steelites.

Introduction of Hymns

In this context, "hymns" means hymns that are not part of the
Bible; the word "hymn" is used in the Bible, but it is claimed by
advocates of exclusive psalmody that this refers to a specific type
of psalm. [6]

After singing psalms for 200 years, in 1861 the Church of
Scotland first formally adopted hymns, with the Free Church of Scotland doing the same in
1872.[7] Hymns
and other extra-biblical words are now widely used in Presbyterian
circles; the details vary from denomination to denomination.

Introduction of
Instruments

In the early nineteenth century, the Revd R. William Ritchie of
St. Andrew's Church, Glasgow, attempted to introduce an organ into
his church, but was informed by the Presbytery of Glasgow that "the use of
organs in the public worship of God is contrary to the law of the
land and constitution of our Established Church."[8]

In 1863, the Revd Robert Lee introduced a harmonium into worship at Greyfriars
Kirk, Edinburgh. Lee
defended instrumental music at the 1864 General
Assembly, who declared that "such innovations should only be
put down when they interfered with the peace of the Church and
harmony of congregations". A pipe organ was subsequently installed
in Greyfriars, and first used in 1865.[9]